Women Frontline Workers in Pakistan: Knocking on Every Door to Protect Every Child

Meet the women working on the frontlines of Pakistan’s polio programme. Through dedication, patience, and compassion, they are helping protect children and build healthier communities.

Every door tells a different story

Some doors open with a smile. Others open with questions. And sometimes, they do not open at all.

But every day, across Pakistan, women step out of their homes with one goal: to make sure no child is left unprotected from polio.

For Sana Nadeem and Iram Batool, two female frontline workers from Lahore, this work is more than a job. It is an opportunity to protect children, support their families, and demonstrate the vital role women play in strengthening public health and building healthier communities.

A journey that started with a simple desire to help

Sana never imagined she would one day become a polio worker. Before joining the programme in 2012, she would watch vaccination teams visit her own home to administer polio drops to her children.

“I saw that they were doing a very noble job, protecting children from disease and helping them live healthier lives,” she says.

The work inspired her. She wanted to contribute in the same way. What began as a desire to help soon became a lifelong commitment. Today, she serves as a supportive supervisor while continuing her work as a Frontline Worker.

Iram's journey began for different reasons. At first, she joined a campaign to help support her family financially. But once she stepped into the field, she discovered something much bigger.

“I felt happy vaccinating children and knowing that I was contributing to their well-being,” she recalls.

That feeling of purpose stayed with her and continues to motivate her today.

Long days, countless homes, one mission

For many people, a vaccination campaign lasts a few days. For frontline workers, it begins long before they knock on the first door. Sana starts her day early, collecting supplies, checking materials, and preparing for hours of fieldwork.

“Whether it is heat, rain, or cold, we travel throughout our assigned areas and visit homes,” she says.

Iram's day often starts before sunrise.

“We leave home around 6 a.m. and often return much later,” she explains.

Like many women across Pakistan, Sana and Iram balance professional responsibilities with family commitments. Their ability to manage both reflects the resilience and dedication of female frontline workers who serve their communities every day.

Frontline worker Irum Batool meets a family during a home visit, building trust with parents and helping protect children from polio

When Trust Opens the Door

One of the biggest challenges in Pakistan's polio effort is not distance or weather. It is misinformation. Both women have met parents who were worried because of rumours they had seen online or heard from others.

Instead of arguing, they listen.

“We never force parents,” says Sana. “We ask them why they are refusing and try to understand their concerns.”

Then comes the most important part, patience. They explain the facts, answer questions, and involve trusted community members when needed.

Iram says many parents change their minds once they understand how carefully vaccines are stored, tested, and delivered.

“Usually, once parents understand the facts, they become satisfied,” she says.

Over the years, these conversations have helped build trust between communities and frontline workers.

The moments that stay forever

Both women can clearly remember experiences that strengthened their commitment to this work.For Sana, it was meeting a young woman who had been affected by polio.

“Seeing her condition deeply affected me,” she says. “It made me realise how devastating this disease can be for individuals and families.”

She left that encounter with a promise to herself: to do everything she could to ensure no child in her area suffered the same fate.

For Iram, it was meeting a child with serious health complications and witnessing the struggles faced by the family.

The experience reminded her why prevention matters.

“That experience reinforced my belief that this is a noble cause,” she says.

These moments are difficult to forget. They remind frontline workers that every child vaccinated today is a child protected tomorrow.

A changing community

The good news is that attitudes are changing. Both women have seen a remarkable shift over the years. In the past, many families were hesitant. Some refused to open their doors. Others questioned the vaccine.

Today, many parents actively wait for vaccination teams.

“If campaigns are delayed, parents ask when we are coming because they want their children vaccinated,” says Sana.

For Iram, growing awareness is one of the most encouraging parts of her work.

“People now understand the importance of vaccination much better than before,” she says.

It is a sign that years of education, engagement, and community trust are making a difference. This work has changed both women personally. Sana says it taught her patience, empathy, and resilience.

“I learned how to understand people, listen to their concerns, and remain calm in difficult situations.”

Iram says it strengthened her compassion and sense of responsibility.

“It has made me more committed to helping others.”

For both women, the work is not just about vaccines.It is about service. It is about protecting children.And it is about giving future generations the chance to grow up healthy and free from polio.

A message to parents

Their message is simple.

“Please do not believe rumours,” says Sana.

“When vaccinators come to your home, allow your children to receive the vaccine,” adds Iram.

Today, Sana and Iram are not only protecting children from polio. They are helping build trust, strengthen communities, and demonstrate the power of women’s leadership in public health.

Their stories show that when women are empowered to serve, entire communities benefit. With every door they knock on, they move Pakistan one step closer to a future where every child is healthy, protected, and free from polio.

Every home visit is a chance to protect a child. Frontline worker Sana Nadeem vaccinates a child during a routine door-to-door campaign in Lahore.